A Denver-based Latino advocacy organization is helping Latino residents apply for food stamps in Jefferson County, and the county says the project has been a huge help.

The Latin American Research and Service Agency recently was awarded a federal grant to help low-income Latino households apply for food stamps in Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder and Denver counties.

The nonprofit group initially planned to use the money to encourage more Latinos to apply for benefits but after meeting with county officials, it became clear the mission had to change.

Jefferson County's general fund maintained a healthy balance in the first quarter of 2009, but it reflects some of the country's economic woes when compared with the first three months of 2008, according to a recent presentation by the county's top budget official.

The county's general fund is doing fine, even though revenues are down or flat and expenditures are up, County Administration and Services Director Todd Leopold told county commissioners May 19.

Jeffco officials are preparing for the worst when it comes to how county residents might react to looming increases in vehicle registration fees and mandatory late fees for those who fail to register vehicles on time.

The county will spend $55,000 hiring off-duty police officers to provide security at three of its five motor vehicle offices, including South Jeffco's office at 6004 S. Kipling St., Unit A.

An effort by Jeffco District Attorney Scott Storey to extend term limits for his office might be over before the question even goes to voters.

Storey, who began his second term in January, has been trying to get support to extend limits for his and the sheriff's office to three terms, or 12 consecutive years. Current law allows for two consecutive terms, or eight years, for all Jefferson County elected officials.

A plan to add a golf school and more holes to the Meadows Golf Course in South Jeffco fell apart late last week.

South Jeffco resident Doug Wherry approached Foothills Park and Recreation District officials about establishing one of his Elite Golf Schools at the district's 18-hole Meadows Golf Course on South Simms Street more than a year ago, according to district executive director Ron Hopp.